JANA VIERHOVEN, Foreword
THIERRY VINCENT, An 1802 Aboriginal Necklace rediscovered in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle of Le Havre
The author, who is a curator at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle du Havre, recounts the story of a forgotten Aboriginal necklace he rediscovered in the Museum’s collections in 2005. He argues that, contrary to its labelling, which indicates a New Caledonian provenance, the artefact was acquired at Port Jackson in 1802 by artist and naturalist Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, a member of the Baudin expedition. After his death the necklace was eventually incorporated into the collections of the Museum. Thierry Vincent traces not only the itinerary of the necklace but also the changing fortunes of the Museum in war and peace.
Keywords: Aboriginal artefacts, Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, Nicholas Baudin, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle of Le Havre, Eugène Delessert, Josephine Bonaparte
SABINE COTTE, ‘Destins croisés’ in Australia: Art Conservation with Mirka Mora
The author is a French art conservator who lives and works in Melbourne. She presents an account of her collaboration with Mirka Mora, a celebrated artist and Melbourne icon, also of French background. Through case studies of three public artworks, the author sheds light on the respective importance of a collaborative approach to conservation, where the original intention of the artist is respected. She also highlights the importance of materials, as well as time constraints and cultural sensitivities.
Keywords: Mirka Mora, public artworks, art conservation
JACQUELINE MACNAUGHTAN, ‘Pour l’Art’: An Artist’s Family
This article traces the story of the author’s great-aunt Adélaïde (Ada) Hautrive-Leysalle. Ada, whose father was a French wool buyer and mother a New Zealander, grew up in Australia and France. Based on her letters and diary entries, the story describes her relationship with her parents, her siblings and other members of the family as well as her tormented marriage to French sculptor Émile Leysalle.
Keywords: nineteenth century French family life, Émile Leysalle, Marceau Hautrive
LINDA, STEPHEN & SARA ROSENMAN, Helen Rosenman (1921–2009) Obituary
JULIET FLESCH, Ivan Page (1938–2012) Obituary
KERRY MULLAN, ISFAR French Jazz Evening
A note about the French Jazz evening held by ISFAR in late 2012.
KERRY MULLAN, Dialogues: The Melbourne French Salon 2012
A note about the establishment of a Melbourne Salon modelled on the Sydney Salon and on the evenings held during the year.
Peter McPhee, Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life, reviewed by Robert Aldrich
John S. McKenzie, Images of Bodily Mechanics: The Institut Marey, Paris, 1902–1977, reviewed by Andrew Bendrups
ELAINE LEWIS, French-Australian Bibliographical Notes